Overlooking the Credit River at 40
Stavebank Road N., Port Credit Arena is
more than just a prominent local landmark.
Heading into its 50th anniversary year, it
remains a vital hub in South Mississauga.

Here at this, the city’s first and oldest
surviving public arena, generations of kids
have learned to play hockey, figure skate, or
just enjoy the Friday night public skating.

“This is not just a building. There’s a heritage
handed down, from generation to generation.
This is something you can use, live with, and
be proud of,” says lifelong Port Credit resident
John Holland, who is leading the push to
have it designated as a heritage building.

“I’ve had people come up to me
and say, ‘That’s the best arena I’ve ever
played in.’ It’s not necessarily warm, but
it has got that warm feeling to it.”

It was Holland, as chair of the arena
committee, who cut the ribbon at the official
opening on October 4, 1959, with NHL
stars Johnny Bower and Larry Regan, and
sportscaster Bryan McFarlane on hand.

A coordinated eff ort of Port Credit’s
businesses, local government, and residents,
it was built over the course of two years at
a cost of $360,000. The local St. Lawrence
Starch Company donated the scoreboard.
The Lion’s Club paid for the seating.

Before this, the only place to skate in Port
Credit was on the frozen river. And the only
two venues for organized hockey were at Dixie
and Lakeshore Arenas, forcing a commute.

“I always wanted a safe place, where kids
could come (to skate locally),” Holland says.
“It’s a good place for your kids, and their kids.”

It soon became the home of the hockey
associations for Port Credit, Cooksville,
Cloverleaf, Clarkson, Applewood, Lakeview
and Lorne Park, plus the respected
Port Credit Figure Skating Club.

“On a Saturday, we’d average 900 people
coming through on the day,” recalls former
arena manager Archie Chase. “If you had a
kid playing hockey, you were in there.”

Over the years such future NHLers as
Greg Gilbert, Grant Marshall, Bob Kelly, and
Doug and Larry Patey passed through the
Port Credit chain – not to mention Olympic
bronze medal figure skater Wally Distelmyer.

And the arena also saw crowds of 500-
plus turn out to watch the hometown
Sailors play lacrosse (and win the 1960
Mann Cup national championship!), and
for professional wrestling cards (featuring
the likes of the fl ashy Tiger Jeet Singh).

“I’d see them lined up to the Lakeshore,
to get in (to the wrestling),” Chase muses.

In 1966, the City added a snack bar, kitchen,
lobby, ticket office, and meeting room
(which became the area’s Seniors’ Room).

Holland suggests the arena served as a
“catalyst” for growth within this little village
-- with Memorial Park, the relocated library,
the Lion’s Club pool, the Don Rowing
Club, the Mississauga Canoe Club, and J.C.
Saddington Park arriving in short order. It’s
now being billed by the local B.I.A., as, “the hippest place in the 905.”

With its unique throwback
look, Port Credit Arena has
been used in more than a few
movies and TV commercials.
Featuring a “Quonset hut”
design, barrel-vaulted roof,
and exposed B.C. fir strappings,
it’s an example of 1950s era
architecture, rare to Mississauga.

And in a June 17 submission
to the City’s Heritage Advisory
Committee, it was recommended
that Port Credit Arena be
considered for Heritage
Designation under the Ontario
Heritage Act, “for reasons of
cultural, architectural, and
historical significance.”

“I think it should be a historic
site,” Holland adds. “Really, it’s as
much a history of Port Credit (over
the past) 50 years, as anything
else in Mississauga. It plays a big
part in a lot of people’s lives.”

And a man who has seen a
rink or two, NHL Hall Of Famer
and long-time Port Crediter
Dick Duff says of this 185x85-
foot ice surface surrounded by
690 folded wooden chairs, “It’s a
great place to watch a game.”

But for all its charm, the Port
Credit Arena has fallen behind
the standards of today’s multipad
facilities and is earmarked
for renovations in 2009.

“If they make any major
changes to it, (it would be
a shame). Those beams
have been up there for 50
years,” Chase comments.

“I know times are
changing, but this arena has
an awful lot of history and
character built into it.”

Courtesy of Manor Magazine, Winter 2009.
Story by Mike Beggs. Photography by Steve Uhraney.
Published by The Mississauga News.